Bobby Davro — born Robert Christopher Nankeville — is one of Britain’s most recognisable impressionists, a comedian who dominated Saturday night television in the 1980s before carving out a resilient second act in theatre, reality TV, and stand-up. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated at approximately £3 million, built over four decades in showbusiness despite a company collapse in 2021 that tested his financial resilience.
| Full Name | Robert Christopher Nankeville |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1958 |
| Age | 67 years old |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Comedian, Impressionist, Actor |
| Net Worth | £3 Million (2026) |
| Spouse/Partner | Previously married; divorced |
| Known For | Saturday night TV shows, EastEnders (Vinnie Monks), celebrity impressions |
Frequently Asked Questions About Bobby Davro
What is Bobby Davro’s net worth in 2026?
Bobby Davro’s net worth is estimated at approximately £3 million in 2026. His wealth accumulated primarily during his peak television years in the 1980s and early 1990s when his Saturday night shows on BBC and ITV topped ratings for six consecutive years. Despite his entertainment company going bust in 2021, Davro has continued to perform on the live circuit and appears in pantomime productions annually, maintaining a steady income from stage work.
How did Bobby Davro become famous?
Bobby Davro burst onto the national stage after appearing on Live at Her Majesty’s in 1983, which immediately launched him into his own prime-time Saturday night television shows. His gift for celebrity impressions — including spot-on takes on politicians, soap opera stars, and sports personalities — made him a household name. He became known as one of Britain’s finest impressionists, able to bring entire auditoriums to tears of laughter with just a voice and a gesture.
Did Bobby Davro play in EastEnders?
Yes. Between 2007 and 2008, Bobby Davro played Vinnie Monks in 68 episodes of EastEnders, demonstrating he could handle dramatic roles alongside his comedy career. The role showed a different side to Davro and introduced him to a new generation of fans who had grown up after his Saturday night television heyday. It remains one of his most notable acting credits.
What happened to Bobby Davro’s company in 2021?
In 2021, Bobby Davro’s entertainment company went into administration, a financial setback made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic’s decimation of the live entertainment industry. Like many entertainers whose income depends on theatre bookings and live appearances, Davro was severely impacted when venues closed. However, true to the resilient spirit of the British variety tradition, he bounced back, returning to touring and pantomime when live entertainment resumed.
Has Bobby Davro appeared on reality TV?
Bobby Davro has had an active reality television career. He appeared on Come Dine with Me (2009), Dancing on Ice (2010), Your Face Sounds Familiar (2013), and Celebrity Big Brother (2015). Each appearance kept him in the public eye during a period when his mainstream television work had reduced, allowing new audiences to discover his warmth, humour, and self-deprecating charm.
What is Bobby Davro doing now in 2026?
In 2026, Bobby Davro remains active on the British entertainment circuit. He regularly performs in pantomime productions across the UK, appears at comedy clubs and corporate events, and continues to give interviews discussing his career, health (including a stroke he suffered after coming off stage), and his views on modern comedy and cancel culture. He has spoken candidly about how comedy has changed since his heyday and remains a passionate defender of traditional variety entertainment.
Bobby Davro’s Net Worth Breakdown
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC/ITV Television Shows (1983–1995) | £1.5M–£2M cumulative | Cumulative | Six years of prime-time Saturday night shows; presenter fees and residuals |
| Live Touring & Pantomime | £80K–£120K/year | Annual (personal) | Ongoing touring income; panto remains a reliable earner for variety veterans |
| Reality TV Appearances | £200K–£400K cumulative | Cumulative | Big Brother, Dancing on Ice, Your Face Sounds Familiar fees 2009–2015 |
| EastEnders (2007–2008) | £100K–£150K | One-time (personal) | 68 episodes as Vinnie Monks; BBC actor fees |
| Corporate Events & After-Dinner Speaking | £40K–£80K/year | Annual (personal) | Popular on the corporate circuit for impressions and after-dinner comedy |
| Estimated Net Worth | £3 Million (2026) | ||
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Bobby Davro was born Robert Christopher Nankeville on September 13, 1958. He grew up with a natural talent for mimicry, entertaining family and friends with spot-on impressions of television celebrities from a young age. After cutting his teeth on the working men’s club circuit — a crucible that forged many of Britain’s finest comedians — Davro began to attract attention from television producers.
His breakthrough came in 1983 when he appeared on ITV’s prestigious variety showcase Live at Her Majesty’s. The appearance was a turning point. Within months, Davro had secured his own Saturday night television series, and for the next six years, he would become one of the most recognisable faces on British television. His shows consistently topped the ratings, placing him alongside the elite of British light entertainment.
Television Career and Business Ventures
During the 1980s and into the 1990s, Bobby Davro’s television career was at its zenith. His Saturday night shows blended impressionism with sketch comedy in the classic British variety tradition. He could impersonate politicians, footballers, soap opera stars, and fellow entertainers with equal precision, giving audiences a different experience each week.
Beyond impressionism, Davro proved himself a capable actor. His 68-episode run in EastEnders from 2007 to 2008 demonstrated a dramatic range that many had not expected from a comedian known for light entertainment. This willingness to step outside the comfort zone of his established persona speaks to a genuine versatility.
Davro also maintained his profile through reality television. His appearances on Dancing on Ice in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 introduced him to younger audiences while reminding established fans why they fell in love with his personality in the first place. The Big Brother appearance was particularly noted for his quick wit and likeable demeanour under the pressure of round-the-clock cameras.
Personal Life and Health Challenges
Bobby Davro has spoken openly about a health scare that proved life-changing: he suffered a stroke after coming off stage at a comedy night, a frightening experience that understandably altered his perspective. He has since been candid in interviews about what the experience taught him about life, work-life balance, and what truly matters beyond showbusiness success.
The comedian was previously married and has children from his relationships. Like many entertainers of his generation, Davro has been refreshingly honest about the personal costs of a career in showbusiness — the time away from family, the financial pressures, and the emotional challenges of maintaining a public persona while living a private life. His openness has endeared him to fans who appreciate authenticity alongside the laughter.
Davro has also been vocal about his concerns regarding cancel culture and its impact on comedy. In a 2025 interview with Nigel Farage, he argued that comedy is “in trouble” when comedians must constantly self-censor. This willingness to court controversy is characteristic of a performer who made his name by pushing boundaries — albeit gently — within the variety format.
Little-Known Facts About Bobby Davro
- Bobby Davro’s real surname is Nankeville — he adopted “Davro” as a stage name early in his career.
- His six-year run of top-rated Saturday night shows in the 1980s placed him in the same elite bracket as Russ Abbott and Jim Davidson.
- He was one of only a handful of comedians to make the transition from working men’s clubs to prime-time BBC television in the early 1980s boom period for British variety.
- His company insolvency in 2021 came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the live entertainment industry lost an estimated £1.1 billion in revenue across the UK.
- Despite his career highs being largely in the pre-internet era, Davro has adapted to social media, using it to promote his touring shows and connect with fans.
Bobby Davro’s Net Worth Over Time
Understanding how Bobby Davro’s wealth has evolved requires looking at three distinct phases of his career. During the peak years of 1983 to 1993, when his Saturday night television shows routinely attracted audiences of 12 to 18 million viewers, Davro would have commanded fees that placed him firmly in the upper tier of British entertainment earnings. Variety television was big business in the pre-streaming era, and comedians with guaranteed audience numbers were handsomely rewarded.
The middle period, spanning roughly 1994 to 2010, saw a gradual transition from peak television to a more diversified income portfolio. The end of the Saturday night variety format as a dominant cultural force — driven by the rise of alternative comedy and eventually reality television — meant that Davro, like many variety veterans, had to adapt. He did so through theatre, pantomime, and reality TV appearances that kept him in the public eye without requiring the astronomical production budgets of his BBC heyday.
The post-2020 period has been characterised by recovery and reinvention. The pandemic’s impact on his entertainment company was significant, but Davro’s return to live performance demonstrated the enduring appeal of a comedian who genuinely enjoys connecting with an audience. His frank discussions about his stroke, his views on comedy, and his experiences in Celebrity Big Brother have created a more rounded public persona — one that has if anything deepened the affection in which he is held by fans of British variety entertainment. The estimated £3 million net worth in 2026 reflects a career that, while perhaps not reaching the dizzying heights of its peak, has demonstrated remarkable longevity and resilience.